Locking means for separable electric fittings



Aug. 30, 1932. NERO 1,874,334

LOCKTNG MEANS FOR SEPARABLE ELECTRIC FITTINGS Filed Jan. 5, 1929 INVENTOR ARVID H. NERO 4-7 Zzz': afidrvzqys Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ABVID H. mo, OI' WBBT HARTFORD, oomc'rrcur, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- METRE nimow-m'r a new anemic courmv, or mmrronn,

CONNECTICUT, L CORPORATION CONNECTICUT moms ms FOB BEPABABLE ELECTRIC FITTINGS Application filed lanuary 8, 1929. Serial 170. 830,050.

This invention relates to locking means for separable electric fittings. Among the objects of my invention are: (1) to rovide a separable electric fitt ng with improved means to lock the plu member to the receptacle or socket mem r; (2) to provide a locking means for a lug and receptacle of an electric fitting whic W111 stand hard usage and abuse without failure; (3) to improve various features of construction hereinafter more particularly described or shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view showing my invention as applied to a connecting plug II and socket with the lock in unlocked position and the lug and socket separated.

Fig. 2 is a ront elevation view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, but with the plug and socket en aged.

ig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, except that the lock is in locked position and the electric cables are shown.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the invention as shown in Fig. 3. r

8 Fi 5 is a perspective view of the locking mem r. 7

While I have shown my invention as aplied to a plug and socket electric connection, it is not confined to the plug and socket construction shown, but may be applied to any similar separable electric fitting.

In the drawing I have shown the usual plug member 1, having contact fingers 2 to engage with receptacle contacts (not shown) in the usual socket 3. The pin has on it a strain relief fittin similar to t at shown in my copending app ication, Serial No. 107,400, filed May 7, 1926, which has become Patent No. 1,837,058 December 15, 1931. The purpose of this fitting is to relieve the strain of the electric cable on the wire terminals of the plug. This fitting consists of a ring 4, adapted to he slipped over the working end of the plug 1 and to rest against an annular shoulder 5 formed thereon. Extending from opposite sides of an outwardly ofi'set flange 6 on the ring 4- are arms 7 and 8, the free ends of which are shaped to form gripping jaws 9 and 10 and In 11 and 12 laterally pro ecting therefrom WhlOh lugs are apertured to receive '0 clamping screws 13 to clamp the jaws together and in this way grip the cable C leading to the lug contacts.

Upon the soc et member 3 there is located a strain relief fitting of exactly the same structure as the fitting thus far described in connection with the plug 1. The cable receiving ends of the plug and socket are identical and formed with nobs 14 which engage the sides of the arms 7 and 8 to prevent rotation q of the strain relief fittings upon the plug and socket.

On the strain relief fitting of the plug the flange G of the ring 4 is cut away for a short distance adjacent one side of each of the arms as 7 and 8 to form notches 15 diametrically opposite to each other.

Located upon the strain fitting rin 5 of the socket 3 is a locking member 16 ormed of a broken annulus having diametrically op- 10 posed legs 17 projecting laterally therefrom toward the working end of the socket and also having lugs 18 projecting laterall therefrom in a direction opposite to the legs 17. To hold the locking member rotat ably on the 78 socket and strain fitting ring 5 the lugs 18 are bent over the flange 6 of the ring 5. It is now apparent that the locking member may be rotated around the socket between the arms 7 and 8 of the strain relief fitting thereon 8 thelngs 18 engaging the arms 7 and 8 and preventing any further rotation of the lockmg member.

To hold the plug and socket together the locking members legs 17 which are of suifi- B5 cient length to extend beyond the flange of the plugs strain fitting member, have their ends bent over the said flange, formin toes 19 capable of sliding on the flange, but olding the plug and socket together.

Thus locking member 16 may be rotated with respect to both the plug and socket, but it normally prevents their separation. However when the locking member is rotated to a position where the fingers 19 of the legs 17 on the locking member are in registry with the notches 15 in the flange 6 the strain fitting on the plug member, the plug and socket may be separated, but when the locking member is rotated to any other position the toes must en age the flange, and hence the plug and soc et may not be separated.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a simple dependable and rugged means for holding two parts of an electrical fitting together and I have also provided a ver sim 1e and easily operated lock which W1 1 git er hold two parts of an electrical fitting together or release them as desired.

I claim-- 1. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members and a strain relief fitting on one of said members, locking means on the other of said members engaging with said fitting for holding said plug and socket members together.

2. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with a strain relief fitting on one of said members, locking means connected with the other member, said locking means having legs co-operating with said fitting to hol said plug and socket members to ether.

3. A separable e ectric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with a strain relief fitting on one of said members, said strain relief fitting having a flange with a notch therein, and lockin means having legs thereon cooperatin wit said flange to lock said members toget er or with said notch to permit said members to be separated.

4. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with strain relief fittin thereon, and a locking member co-operating with said fittings for holding said plug and socket members together.

5. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in com ination with strain relief fittings thereon said fittings comprising rings with flanges thereon, and a locking member co-operating therewith for holding said plug and socket members together.

6. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with strain relief fittings thereon said fittings comprising rings with flanges thereon, the'fiange on one fitting having a notch therein and a locking member co-operating with said notched flange for holding said plug and socket members together.

7. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with train ef fittings thereon said fittings comthe other fitting,

prising rings with flanges thereon, the flange on one fitting having a notch therein, and a locking member havin a leg co-operating with one of said fittings %or holding said plug and socket members to ether.

8. A separable electric fitting having plu and socket members in combination wit strain relief fittings thereon, said fittings comprising rings with fingers thereon, and a. locking member having legs with toes thereon co-operating with one of said fittings for holding said plug and socket members together.

9. A separable electric fittin having plug and socket members in com ination with strain relief fittings thereon, said fittin comprising rings with flanges thereon, t e flange on one fittin having notches therein, and a locking mem er having legs with toes thereon co-operating with said notches and their adjoining flange to permit separation or locking together of said plug and socket members.

10. A separable electric fitting having plu and socket members in combination witfl strain relief fittings thereon, said fittin comprising rings with flanges thereon, t e flange on one fitting having notches therein, and a locking member having legs and lugs co-operating with said fittings for holding said plug and socket members together.

11. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with strain relief fittings thereon, said fittings comprising rings with flanges thereon, the

nge on one fitting having notches therein, and a locking member having lugs engaging the other fitting, said locking member also having legs with toes thereon co-operating with said first named fitting whereby locking together or separation of said plug and socket members may be accomplished.

12. A separable electric fitting having plug and socket members in combination with strain relief fittings thereon, said fittings comprising rings with flanges thereon, the flange on one fitting having notches therein, and a locking member having lugs engaging said locking member also having legs with toes thereon co-operating with said notches and their adjoining flange whereby separation or looking together of said plug and socket members may be accomplished.

13. In a separable electrical connector, 1!. pair of-separable devices, flanges on said devices. and a locking member associated with said devices and engaging with said'flanges to hold said devices together.

14. In a separable electrical connector, 0. pair of separable devices, flanges on said devices, one of said flanges being notched, and a locking member associated with said devices and cooperating with said flanges to hold said devices together and cooperating 10 name to this specification.

ARVID H. NERO.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,874,334. August 30, 1932.

ARVID H. NERO.

certified that error appears in the printed specification of the Page 2, line 74. claim 8,

It is hereby above numbered patent requiring correction as foilows: for the word "fingers. with this correction therein that the same may in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1932.

conform to the record of the case M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

" read flanges; and that the said Letters Patent should be read 10 name to this specification.

ARVID H. NERO.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,874,334. August 30, 1932.

ARVID H. NERO.

certified that error appears in the printed specification of the Page 2, line 74. claim 8,

It is hereby above numbered patent requiring correction as foilows: for the word "fingers. with this correction therein that the same may in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1932.

conform to the record of the case M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

" read flanges; and that the said Letters Patent should be read 

